Apr 11 2006
The Concrete Network, the most comprehensive resource on the web for decorative concrete information, has produced two pieces in its decorative concrete artwork series, showcasing the artistry evolving in the decorative concrete industry. The oil paintings exhibit the advancements of artistic work being created through decorative concrete applications and techniques, such as advanced concrete stamping techniques, coloring concrete, acid- staining concrete, etc.
Created by Katy Betz, a fine artist commissioned by The Concrete Network, the first piece in the series portrays the developments in decorative concrete technology since ancient Roman times. In the painting, “Romans In Awe,” two Romans peer down from the heavens upon a modern-day contractor stamping a concrete driveway. Ms. Betz’s description of the painting explains her unique perspective:
"The man did not know the amazing extent of his profound new discovery. But as he lifted the rubber stamp, a ray of light streamed down from the heavens upon his work and he saw for the first time the full glory and beauty contained within the pattern. In fact, so beautiful were the results, that he felt the same sense of marvel the ancient Romans must have experienced after building the Colosseum and Pantheon—the crown jewels of early architectural concrete. He was continuing the Roman legacy of innovative concrete, and even they stared down in awe at his new technique."
The second piece in the series, “New York Girl,” portrays the future of decorative concrete. In the painting, four men, from a past time period, peer across a New York City street at a modern-day woman on a bright, stamped concrete sidewalk. Ms. Betz’s description of the painting explains her unique perspective:
“Evening was approaching and the city was growing ever darker. Nonetheless, the woman walked on with confidence, knowing that her stamped path would lead to a bright future. Across the street, onlookers were stuck in a past era, but she paved the way to innovation and success, revealing to them how marvelous decorative concrete can be.”
These paintings are the first-of-their-kind, and are part of a series of decorative concrete artwork to be produced by Ms. Betz. Each issue of Concrete Expressions, the official magazine of The Concrete Network, unveils a new piece in the series.